Syrians face immense risk on Sudan-Egypt smuggling route
CAIRO, Egypt (North Press) – Youssef al-Muta’ani, director of the Egypt and Levant Center for Legal Services, warned of the grave dangers faced by Syrians on smuggling trips across the Sudanese-Egyptian border.
Al-Muta’ani pointed out that these trips result in many victims in light of the inhumane treatment they are subjected to on the smuggling routes.
Three Syrians were killed and more than ten others were injured in December as a result of a car accident that was carrying them from the Red Sea governorate after entering Egypt illegally.
Three reasons
Al-Muta’ani told North Press that there are three reasons for these risks. The first reason is related to the issue of resettlement.
“If the Syrians want to resettle in foreign countries, they will often not be able to reach that through Sudan, which does not have all the embassies. In Cairo, they can, especially for seeking resettlement in European countries,” he added.
The second reason relates to the availability of security and stability in Egypt, and the good relations between the Egyptian and Syrian peoples, according to him.
He believes that the third reason is related economic aspects; the Egyptian market is more open and absorbs Syrians and others.
This coincides with the difficulty in obtaining an official entry visa in light of restrictions in the airports and security checks.
Al-Muta’ani stated that this refusal led to the emergence of smuggling gangs in Sudan.
Immense risks
Al-Muta’ani noted that Syrians are shipped in cars in an inhumane manner, travelling very quickly in rugged areas and exposing everyone to danger. Some are even killed on the road, as happened recently.
He told North Press that the only legal way to enter is to obtain entry approval is by submitting an application to the Egyptian embassy, and that rejection of these applications pushes Syrians to resort to smuggling routes.
He indicated that in the year 2018-2019, more than 20,000 Syrians entered Egypt illegally via Sudan, and it is likely that the number will be similar in the year 2019-2020.